[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 60 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING CINCO DE MAYO CON ORGULLO

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to 
the historic day of Cinco de Mayo. This holiday, celebrated each year 
on the fifth of May, is a very symbolic and cultural day for people of 
Mexican ancestry.
  Cinco de Mayo honors the 1862 victory of the Mexican armed forces 
against the invading French army in the Battle of Puebla, and marks an 
important milestone in Mexico's struggle to retain its sovereignty. It 
has since been a day when Latinos honor their spirit of struggle, 
dignity, and respect for their cultural heritage.
  Unfortunately, many Cinco de Mayo celebrations have been marred by 
violence, over-consumption of alcohol, and other serious problems. This 
issue is compounded by the fact that Latino communities suffer 
disproportionately from the negative effects of alcohol use and abuse, 
high rates of alcohol-related diseases and death, an inordinate number 
of traffic fatalities and alcohol-related driving violations, and many 
types of alcohol involved violence.
  In light of this, many persons of Mexican ancestry desire to have 
family oriented, alcohol and tobacco free Cinco de Mayo celebrations. 
Rather than partaking in festivities that continue to exploit people 
through the sale of large amounts of alcoholic beverages, they are 
choosing to focus on embracing and elevating the cultural significance 
of this historical event and Latinos in general.
  The Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco (LCAT) has joined with 
CalPartners Coalition and California Latino Leadership United for 
Healthy Communities in their statewide Cinco de Mayo 2001 campaign, 
``Sembrando Nuestras Tradiciones.'' This campaign aims to make all 
residents of the U.S. aware of the true significance of the Cinco de 
Mayo, reduce the pernicious influence of the alcohol industry, draw 
public attention to the negative effects of alcohol use and abuse upon 
persons of Mexican ancestry, and promote alcohol and tobacco-free 
celebrations.
  I commend the effort of these groups and encourage people to 
celebrate this important Mexican holiday with dignity and respect, to 
refrain from immoderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, to work to 
promote the health of the entire community, and to reject efforts by 
alcohol promoters who misuse Cinco de Mayo by engaging in advertising 
and promotions designed to encourage heavy drinking.

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